Christine H. Baker
While Chris Baker is the newest member of the Search & Consulting Group at Carney Sandoe, she is well-known and highly regarded nationwide for The Baker Group’s work in successfully translating enrollment management practices into practical short and long-term strategies.
Since founding The Baker Group in 1999, Chris has led close to 1,000 independent school clients through the country’s most challenging times, supporting their efforts to adopt practices that strengthen their school’s viability and sustainability. This goal- oriented, data-driven, and research-based approach leads to school-specific enrollment strategies that reflect coordinated school-wide efforts and systems. Having devoted 40 years of her career to education, Chris’ school and college experiences includes leadership positions at Milton Academy, Boston College, and Babson College.
Previous Experience
In addition to her work for individual schools, Chris is also known as being a catalyst for some of the industry’s most successful collaborative admission and enrollment efforts, including, the founding of the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP) and directing the New England Boarding Schools Collaborative. Chris also created and successfully directed the Chatham Experience for New England Admission Directors for 25 years and since 1999 organizes the annual Crow’s Nest Institute for experienced admission and enrollment management directors. She is the Editor of the NAIS Enrollment Management Handbook and is a recipient of EMA’s Bretnall Award for leadership, commitment, and contributions to the independent school admission profession. Chris has also served on the boards of the Education Records Bureau (ERB), the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), and the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP).
Education & Interests
Chris’ undergraduate degree is from the University of Massachusetts, and her master’s degree in higher education administration is from Boston College. She is an avid cyclist, a long time Pan Mass Challenge rider, a former marathoner, and a lover of the outdoors. Chris has two sons, of whom she is very proud, and lives in southern Maine with her dog Gracie.